1802 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-241, B-6. Rarity-1. Narrow Date. MS-65 (NGC).A visually spectacular coin with splendid toned surfaces, the overall soft golden hues are punctuated by delightful steel blue highlights especially along the periphery. The overall bold and well-centered strike is highlighted by vibrant satiny lustrous surfaces. The weakened outline of Libertys neck and roughly re-engraved circular curl in Libertys hair closest to her bow on the obverse combined with the two parallel cracks join the wingtip at left to the rim including one that crosses the P in PLURIBUS on the reverse make this a classic example of Die State III. Free of any adjustment marks that are often found on early silver dollars, it would be a difficult task indeed to find a more visually appealing example of this early dollar. As with many of the production figures from the early days of the Mint, there is some question regarding precisely how many coins were produced of a specific date in a calendar year. This is the case with the 1802 Draped Bust dollars, where the reported mintage of 41,650 pieces coined in 1802 is certainly lower than the quantity of 1802-dated dollars actually produced. Bowers and Borckardt in their 2013 book, <em>The Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars: 1793-1804</em>, estimate that the number of silver dollars that were struck using 1802-dated dies is likely closer to 80,000 pieces struck in 1802 and 1803, based on the number of known surviving specimens. Even though seven different die pairings for the 1802/1 overdate have been so far identified, only two die marriages for the normal date have so far been identified with any certainty. The distinctive obverse die used in the BB-241 pairing is characterized by the missing right foot of the T in LIBERTY which is readily apparent in all die states and diagnostic; this obverse die was only used for this die pair. The BB-241 die marriage is far and away the most available of the entire issue with an estimated 1,500 to 2,750 extant specimens primarily in the Very Fine to Extremely Fine grade range, though with only about 50 to 70 Mint State pieces known. Even though a number of notable Mint State specimens are listed in the Bowers-Borckardt encyclopedia including a few at the MS-65 preservation level, this coin does not appear to be found among that roster. Because some of the sales were held in the days prior to grading and certification services, positive identification may not be completely possible with certainty. Because of its comparative availability, the BB-241 variety has long been popular with collectors at all levels not only to represent the 1802 issue but even among type collectors seeking just one example of the Draped Bust design. With an overall paucity of Gem examples of any early silver dollar issue combined with its considerable eye appeal, it would be a difficult task indeed to find a more visually appealing example.
